The MCPAW Team
The Board of Directors sets policies and direction for MCPAW and is responsible for all actions with respect to standards, policies, procedures, campaigns and initiatives as are necessary to carry out MCPAW’s mission.
Board of Directors
Donald Hoffman
Chairman
Donald Hoffman founded EXCEL Services Corporation in 1985 to provide specialized professional services to nuclear utilities in licensing and regulatory support. For more than three decades, EXCEL has become recognized as a premier worldwide supplier of enforcing operations and technical regulatory support services. Mr. Hoffman is the very proud owner of four rescued pit bulls - Katie, Leia, Michael, and Nicholas. Mr. Hoffman's newest rescue is Nicholas who was brought to the 1st Annual MCPAW Party in October 2017 as a very young puppy. Whenever possible, Mr. Hoffman provides funding for surgeries for dogs in need in and around Montgomery County. Mr. Hoffman is devoted to animal welfare and hopes that by working with MCPAW he is able to ensure the homeless animals in Montgomery County have all the love and support they need and deserve.
Allan Cohen
Board Member Emeritus
Allan is a founding member of MCPAW. For his involvement, love and concern for the well-being of animals, Allan received the Humanitarian Award for his work in Montgomery County, as well as in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina. A Harvard graduate with both Masters and Doctorate of Education, Allan has served as a State Education official in Massachusetts and Illinois and was an education lobbyist on Capitol Hill. He currently serves as a consultant in community, business and real estate endeavors. He was also a founding member of the Potomac Community Centers and was honored twice as Potomac Citizen of the Year. Through the over 30 years Allan has lived in Montgomery County, he has served as Chairman of the Animal Matters Hearing Board as well as numerous other Boards. Allan and his wife of over 40 years, Ellen, have three children, four grandchildren and two grand-dogs.
Steve Landsman
Treasurer
Steven is the Founder and President of Abaris Realty, Inc., a property management firm based in Rockville, MD and specializing in the management of condominiums and homeowner associations. Steven has been an active member of the community ever since helping to found the Club Friday youth program at the Potomac Community Center over 20 years ago. The Club Friday program has expanded to almost all Montgomery County Recreation Centers and has earned Mr. Landsman the Rotary Club of Potomac’s Annual Community Service Award (1996) and the Potomac Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year Award (2008). Steven’s areas of interest with MCPAW include his love for animals and his desire to ensure that all pets have a safe, sanitary, and friendly environment in our local homes and businesses. Abaris Realty is a pet friendly business, which provides a daily home for Bilouxie, a Hurricane Katrina rescue dog, who serves as the office’s unofficial mascot and improves employee morale. He wants to ensure that other helpless animals receive the same second chance that Bilouxie has.
S T E V E L A N D S M A N | Treasurer
Arman Patala
Secretary
Arman is a dedicated volunteer ambassador at MCASAC focusing primarily on the dogs. As a volunteer, Arman assists in taking dogs out for walks, cleaning kennels, and providing much needed TLC. Additionally, he takes some of the more stressed dogs on regular outings to give them a break from the shelter environment, and give them more exposure to potential adopters. Arman has two years of banking experience with Suntrust and M&T Bank, and is currently pursuing a career in property management. Arman is also pursuing a BBA in accounting, expecting to transfer-graduate from the University of Maryland at College Park. Between juggling school, work, and volunteerism, Arman enjoys going on hiking adventures with his dog, Autumn. Animal welfare can be overwhelming yet compelling, which is why Arman recognizes the importance of community involvement. It is one of his projects to get people, young and old, more involved in volunteerism whichever their cause may be. Arman plans on joining the lobbying efforts focused on the fight against abuse, and discrimination, specifically BSL (Breed-Specific Legislation).
A R M A N P A T A L A
| Board Member
Victoria Thomas
Vice Chair
Vicki Thomas has extensive experience with animal welfare organizations and nonprofits. She has volunteered at Montgomery County's animal shelters since 2004 - when it was first run by the Montgomery County Humane Society (MCHS) and she was part of the first group of volunteers trained when the new Monthgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center (MCASAC) opened. In 2012, she was named Volunteer of the Year by MCHS. She is also a long-time volunteer for the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County. In her career, she has worked for various nonprofits including Freedom House, The Albert Shanker Institute, and the Foundation for a Democratic Education.She is currently owned by seven rescued cats and a rescued dog. She holds a B.A. in Government from the College of William and Mary and a Master's in Public Administration from George Washington University.
ZSUZSI ZETLIN
Board Member
Zsuzsi Zetlin is a personal fitness trainer throughout the Washington Metro region, a devoted fundraiser for animal organizations, and a strong advocate for the well-being of all animals. Zsuzsi received the President's Volunteer Service Award in 1998 for establishing and volunteering at the Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge in Taylor, Texas. Presently, Zsuzsi is a volunteer at MCASAC, a place she refers to as "the most extraordinary place I have ever worked.” Zsuzsi is married to Mark, and has 2 daughters, Sherri and Julie (a former 2012 US Olympian). Zsuzsi’s daughters have followed in her footsteps in rescuing animals. Today, the Zetlin family includes Sobe, a 10 years young furry bundle of joy Pomeranian rescued from Miami; Lola and Remy, 2 years young bonded luvbugs rescued from Los Angeles; and Potyi, a newly rescued cat brought from Hungary. Zsuzsi became involved with MCPAW in October of 2015, wanting to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the animals residing at MCASAC and help facilitate their adoption.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Maureen smith
After years leading television networks, including Animal Planet where she co-created The Puppy Bowl, Maureen moved into the non-profit sector as the President of the Jane Goodall Institute, followed by a senior level position at the National Wildlife Federation. Her lifelong love of all animals is evident not only in the passion that she brings to MCPAW as Executive DIrector, but also by her simultaneously serving as the President of Second Chance Wildlife Center. Email her at info@MCPAW.org.